The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has appointed fifty "Design Advocates" to support his efforts in ensuring that development across the British capital is "high-quality, inclusive, and sustainable." Well-known names—such as Sir David Adjaye, Peter Murray and Alison Brooks—have been nominated alongside a broad range of architects, activists and thinkers, including Russell Curtis, Daisy Froud, Dan Hill, Richard Lavington, Tom Holbrook, Rory Hyde, Adam Khan, and Maria Smith.

The appointments coincide with the launch of the "Good Growth by Design" programme, which intends to "enhance the design of buildings and neighbourhoods for all Londoners" as the city’s population heads towards ten million inhabitants.

Increase capacity by launching a new social enterprise - ‘Public Practice’ - that will place talented designers and planners in local authorities for up to a year, plugging the skills gap and creating a sense of common endeavour in enhancing London’s built environment.

Support diversity by pushing the firms that City Hall commissions to do much more to tackle the under-representation of women and people from minority groups in the built environment professions.

Use open procurement processes such as design competitions to seek the highest standards for public projects.

Lead by example, with the Greater London Authority being champions of good growth by advocating best practice to support success across the sector.

Speaking on his appointment, Sir David Adjaye reinforced the urgency of the challenges the programme faces. "Predictions," he said, "of unprecedented growth within our capital urgently necessitate exceptional leadership and unparalleled design strategies in order for London to thrive as a successful and sustainable world city. But how also do we create and shape a city that benefits everyone, a city with inclusivity and diversity at its heart?"